Narrabri Underground Mine Stage 3 Extension Project

Coal mining is an integral part of the Hunter and Gunnedah basin areas. I support the Gunnedah basin being developed as it is more environmentally friendly in that the coal produced is cleaner and more suited to the HELE consumption that the Asian region is consuming.

Mining is good for jobs, infrastructure and longevity of communities.

The Narrabri Stage 3 Extension Project guarantees over 500 jobs for the Gunnedah Basin for almost another 30 years, not to mention the hundreds of indirect jobs.

This long life project a just what the region needs to ensure that local people can continue to get jobs right here in the region they grew up in and realise all the direct benefits of improvements in education facilities, better health services and improved access to emergency services and recreational facilities.

The Gunnedah Basin needs this project.

Additional jobs for locals.
No increase on the environmental impact due to being an underground operation.
No visible impact on the community or the surrounding properties.
Good business for the local Narrabri town and surrounding community.

Advice and REA attached.

See attached.

Ongoing work within Health & Safety Industry. Able to continue residing in Rural location

This project will have significant positive influence on the Narrabri district.
The project will create many local jobs both directly and indirectly which will support the growth of the local community

To ensure ongoing work for myself, my team and the local Narrabri community. This project will provide significant economic outcomes for the local region until 2044.

I believe that the Narrabri Underground Mine Stage 3 Extension Project should be approved. This extension will provide jobs for hundreds of people for years to come which can only benefit Narrabri. The businesses in Narrabri need all the support they can get which Whitehaven can supply if the extension is approved. I believe that if Whitehaven continues investing in the community than there is the possibility of new businesses coming to town which only entices more people to live and shop in Narrabri.

I am a Consultant with a long association with Narrabri Underground Mine, so I will naturally be supportive of this project. That said, I recognise the impacts of coal mining on the environment and the impacts of Climate Change, but I clearly see the ongoing requirements for economically produced good quality thermal coal to support the ever increasing 'fleet' of power stations primarily throughout Asia that will operate for many years to come. I believe the transition required to meet global Climate Change requirements be gradual not radical (given all the talk about '2050' versus what is actually happening in China, India and the rest of Asia). Emerging technologies will support this transition in the medium to long term. I look with pride at the efforts of Whitehaven Coal and in particular Narrabri Underground Mine to provide good quality coal to displace poorer quality coals from other countries that would otherwise be used. This Extension Project will provide employment continuity and support the life extension of the existing assets to extract adjacent coal with little if any change in impacts albeit they will continue for more years. Clearly the mine will operate while the international market exists and the mine is competitive.

EPA response attached. Recommended conditions provided to manage associated impacts.

In full support of the project. the increased economic benefit to NSW, in particular the positive impacts this will have on the local community is vitally important. i have seen first hand how much local mining communities benefit from mining operations and am keen to see Narrabri and the surrounds continue booming from this project. with the opportunity for 500 new jobs is very appealing. There are far more benefits to this project than negatives and and fully supportive of the project to go ahead and see all these benefits materialise.

I support Narrabri Underground Mine Stage 3 Extension to go ahead, as they have around 500 people employed which 75% of them live locally.

This project will continue the employment of some 1K full time and associated persons in the Narrabri and Gunnedah Council areas. The importance to the NSW Government in royalties and Federally in tax contributions will be sustainable for life of mine. Environmentally sustainable as the landscape is not affected as much as the open cut operation over the same area as well as being easily rehabilitated. The effect on underground water is negligible as this water is reused to assist with mining operations and does not effect the local storage area. All in all a must for north west NSW, the Gunnedah Basin And the local communities. Whitehaven Coal MIning Limited is a responsible and effectively managed operation with a strong ethic in meeting community expectations. This project needs the full backing of the Department.

See attached Letter of Support

Please see attached letter.

It is noted that the area impacted by the Extension Project includes a network of Crown roads. Crown roads include roads subject to tenure, some formed tracks, and some undeveloped vegetated roads.

The indicative location provided of some surface infrastructure is upon or within close vicinity of these roads.

It is recommended that the proponent ensures that a comprehensive Crown Land conveyancing search, available through the Department, has been completed. Any and all impacted Crown land or Crown roads must have that impact authorised via the Department, or alternate authorising instrument identified prior to the works being commenced.

Mining operations involving Crown land or Crown Roads also have the following requirements:

1. All Crown land (including Western Land Leases) and Crown roads within a Mining Lease (with surface rights), subject to mining or mining related activity, must be subject to a Compensation Agreement issued under Section 265 of the Mining Act 1992, to be agreed and executed prior to any mining activity taking place. The Compensation Agreement may include conditions requiring the Mining Lease Holder to purchase Crown land impacted on by mining activity.
2. All Crown land (including Western Land Leases) and Crown roads located within an Exploration Licence, subject to exploration activity, must be subject to an Access Arrangement issued under Section 141 of the Mining Act 1992, to be agreed and executed prior to any exploration activity taking place.
3. All Crown land (including Western Land Leases) and Crown roads within a Mining Lease (with sub-surface rights only) must be subject to a Section 81 Consent under the Mining Act 1992 where surface activities are proposed, to be agreed and executed prior to any surface activity taking place.

For decades there will be locally-based employment and economic benefit to NSW.

I moved to Narrabri with my wife in 2017 to work as an operator at the Narrabri Mine. This mine extension will ensure we can continue to live and work and start our family in Narrabri. This extension will ensure the town of Narrabri and surrounds will continue to prosper well into the future.

it will support local employment.